Originally Posted by Michael C Dorf

It has long been recognized that, even absent a formal declaration of war, the President may, on his own authority, use military force to carry out the Congressionally delegated power to "suppress insurrections and repel invasions." Thus, for example, in The Prize Cases the Supreme Court upheld President Lincoln's Civil War blockade of southern ports. And no one doubts that in the event of an actual attack on the United States, the President can and should use military force even if there is insufficient time to seek Congressional approval.

How long does an emergency response last? In 1973, Congress adopted the War Powers Resolution in an effort to strengthen its hand vis-a-vis the President. The Resolution was enacted in response to the perception that U.S. military involvement in Vietnam escalated without proper Congressional approval.

The War Powers Resolution authorizes Presidential use of force only in a narrow range of circumstances. Moreover, it obliges the President to report to Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops, and to obtain specific Congressional approval for continued deployment within sixty days.

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dorf/20020306.html

Originally Posted by FAS.Org

Automatic Withdrawal Provision

The automatic withdrawal provision has become perhaps the most controversial provision of the War Powers Resolution. Section 5(b) requires the President to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities within 60-90 days after a report is submitted or required to be submitted under section 4(a)(1). The triggering of the time limit has been a major factor in the reluctance of Presidents to report, or Congress to insist upon a report, under section 4(a)(1).

Drafters of the War Powers Resolution included a time limit to provide some teeth for Congress, in the event a President assumed a power to act from provisions of resolutions, treaties, or the Constitution which did not constitute an explicit authorization. The Senate report called the time limit "the heart and core" of the bill that "represents, in an historic sense, a restoration of the constitutional balance which has been distorted by practice in our history and, climatically, in recent decades." (19) The House report emphasized that the Resolution did not grant the President any new authority or any freedom of action during the time limits that he did not already have.

Administration officials have objected that the provision would require the withdrawal of U.S. forces simply because of congressional inaction during an arbitrary period. Since the resolution recognizes that the President has independent authority to use armed forces in certain circumstances, they state, "on what basis can Congress seek to terminate such independent authority by the mere passage of time?" (20) In addition, they argue, the imposition of a deadline interferes with successful action, signals a divided nation and lack of resolve, gives the enemy a basis for hoping that the President will be forced by domestic opponents to stop an action, and increases risk to U.S. forces in the field. The issue has not been dealt with by the courts.

http://www.fas.org/man/crs/RL32267.html#_1_14

Originally Posted by bernspin";p=&quot

How do you Americans can believe that the world will be better after the US have invaded and destroyed an entire country without respecting any international law? The world is going totally WORST than it was 5 years ago.
This war is ALREADY lost, since its beginning.
I don't understand HOW this war can be positive on any sense.
Can somebody explain me HOW this shameful war can be WON some day?
To win does it mean to control the OIL resources? Does it mean exterminate the Arabs?
If to win means to be safer as an American citizen so the US is lost.
How do you expect to be safe when you invade the other's countries, destroy everything, from buildings to institutions, killing innocent people and creating hate and chaos?

But coming back to the point, I think whatever it happens in Iraq from here to the elections, Bush will always be able to control the general public opinion, since he controls all the media in the US. When I watch American broadcasted news, for example, I feel bizarre cause I realize how manipulated are the facts to give the impression that this war is nice and fair. The same with the newspapers, radio, internet etc.